And Alexandra Jones, chief executive of Centre for Cities think tank, said Burnley was 10th best town in the UK for creating private sector jobs.

Mr Rumbelow led a delegation which included representatives from almost 30 Burnley firms to meet ministers and investors in Westminster.

The trip was arranged on the back of last year's Department for Business, Innovation and Skills award success, when the borough was named the most enterprising area in the UK.

Mr Fallon was among those to heap praise on Burnley’s economy during a speech at The Royal Society’s headquarters in Carlton House Terrace.

He said: “Burnley has indeed a strong package to offer investors. It has a proactive and supportive business environment, a good infrastructure and highly skilled workforce.

“I think that Burnley is leading the way, where more businesses are being created than are closing down. Burnley is a championship town that was once - and we hope will again be - in the Premiership.”

Former Lancashire Telegraph reporter Tony Livesey was compère at the event, which included a quiz on the town’s heritage.

Mr Rumbelow said: “It seemed to go very, very well. We met a number of contacts that we are following up, and one or two of them have already agreed to come to Burnley and see what we can offer.

“That was one of the main objectives. It was great to see businesses meeting other businesses. That contact between people is what we want to build on.”

Referring to Burnley’s private sector jobs numbers, Ms Jones said: “This is an enormous achievement. It’s an impressive statistic and a real achievement to be up there in the top ten based on national data.”

DoggydogNo1 wrote:
Leading the way? House does that work when its full of houses falling down, poor shops, low employment prospects?

It works because there is an election on the horizon, and this government seems to think the plebs in Burnley are proud of houses falling down,poor shops, and high unemployment with no prospects.

[quote][p][bold]DoggydogNo1[/bold] wrote:
Leading the way? House does that work when its full of houses falling down, poor shops, low employment prospects?[/p][/quote]It works because there is an election on the horizon, and this government seems to think the plebs in Burnley are proud of houses falling down,poor shops, and high unemployment with no prospects.shytalk

I’m glad that this mission went well and one hopes that it bears useful fruit.

Burnley has experienced some pretty tough times and twice had to re-invent itself. The first time was following the demise of the cotton industry, and then after the contraction of manufacturing activity in the town.

Times remain exceedingly difficult for a great many people, and the town still has plenty of problems; but it’s a refreshing change to see Burnley portrayed in a positive light.

I’m glad that this mission went well and one hopes that it bears useful fruit.
Burnley has experienced some pretty tough times and twice had to re-invent itself. The first time was following the demise of the cotton industry, and then after the contraction of manufacturing activity in the town.
Times remain exceedingly difficult for a great many people, and the town still has plenty of problems; but it’s a refreshing change to see Burnley portrayed in a positive light.Kevin, Colne

Kevin, Colne wrote:
I’m glad that this mission went well and one hopes that it bears useful fruit.

Burnley has experienced some pretty tough times and twice had to re-invent itself. The first time was following the demise of the cotton industry, and then after the contraction of manufacturing activity in the town.

Times remain exceedingly difficult for a great many people, and the town still has plenty of problems; but it’s a refreshing change to see Burnley portrayed in a positive light.

I'm wont to say that useful fruits have been borne in Burnley. Some of them are my cousins.

[quote][p][bold]Kevin, Colne[/bold] wrote:
I’m glad that this mission went well and one hopes that it bears useful fruit.
Burnley has experienced some pretty tough times and twice had to re-invent itself. The first time was following the demise of the cotton industry, and then after the contraction of manufacturing activity in the town.
Times remain exceedingly difficult for a great many people, and the town still has plenty of problems; but it’s a refreshing change to see Burnley portrayed in a positive light.[/p][/quote]I'm wont to say that useful fruits have been borne in Burnley. Some of them are my cousins.Graham Hartley

the business secretary is somewhat misled if he thinks Burnley is leading the way in Britain's economic recovery. There are actually no facts or figures to substantiate the claim so it must be coming up to some election.
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How ironic that this headline appears just above the headline " £3million Burnley Council cuts on the way ".
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quote "Burnley is a championship town" unquote
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what he really meant was "Burnley is a chip shop town"

the business secretary is somewhat misled if he thinks Burnley is leading the way in Britain's economic recovery. There are actually no facts or figures to substantiate the claim so it must be coming up to some election.
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How ironic that this headline appears just above the headline " £3million Burnley Council cuts on the way ".
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quote "Burnley is a championship town" unquote
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what he really meant was "Burnley is a chip shop town"Pendlesider